CRNA vs. Anesthesiologist: What’s the Difference?

Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and anesthesiologists are responsible for safely administering anesthesia to patients. Both ensure patients remain sedated during surgery and collaborate with the healthcare team if an issue arises.

The key difference is their educational background and credentials. CRNAs are advanced practice registered nurses, while anesthesiologists are physicians. This guide explains the roles of CRNAs and anesthesiologists, along with their salary, job outlook, and education requirements.

CRNAs and anesthesiologists perform many of the same duties. They care for patients before, during, and after procedures requiring anesthesia. However, their educational background, salary, practice authority, and work setting differ. CRNAs have a nursing background, while anesthesiologists have a medical background. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), anesthesiologists report higher earnings, but CRNAs are in higher demand.

Anesthesiologists can practice independently and supervise CRNAs and anesthesia assistants anywhere they practice. CRNAs may only practice independently if their state allows full-practice authority and CRNA-only models. Otherwise, they practice under the supervision of an anesthesiologist.

CRNAs and anesthesiologists usually work in physicians’ offices, general medical and surgical hospitals, and outpatient care centers. CRNAs are more likely to work in the offices of other healthcare practitioners, while anesthesiologists are more likely to work in higher education.

Despite their differences, CRNAs and anesthesiologists share similar responsibilities.

CRNAs and anesthesiologists share many responsibilities. The main difference is that anesthesiologists supervise CRNAs and anesthesia assistants.

In 16 states, CRNAs must be supervised by an anesthesiologist so the care they provide will be reimbursed by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The remaining 34 states opt out of the facility reimbursement requirement and offer CRNAs independent practice authority.

CRNAs and anesthesiologists share many of the same responsibilities in patient care. They both:

However, anesthesiologists can supervise CRNAs and anesthesia assistants, a duty that not all CRNAs can perform.

CRNAs complete about eight years of training, while anesthesiologists complete 12 years. CRNAs attend nursing school, hold a DNP degree, and complete at least 1,000 practicum hours. Anesthesiologists attend medical school, hold an MD or a DO degree, and complete four years of residency.

If you choose to become a CRNA, you will spend 7-8.5 years becoming a CRNA. Before entering a CRNA doctoral program, you will:

You can enroll in a DNP program once you complete the clinical requirements. Some DNP programs allow you to enroll with only a BSN and get your master of science in nursing (MSN) and DNP simultaneously. Other DNP programs require you to have an MSN first.

After you complete your DNP degree, you can apply for the CRNA National Certification Exam (NCE) from the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. To qualify for the NCE, you must have an unrestricted RN license and complete an accredited CRNA program within the last two years.

To apply for the NCE, you must submit:

If you choose to become an anesthesiologist, you will spend 12 years completing a medical degree and anesthesiology residency.

First, you must complete a bachelor’s degree and pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Then, you will spend four years in medical school. After medical school, you will complete a four-year residency in anesthesiology. You must complete at least one year of residency before you can sit for the last step of your licensure exam.

You’ll become a licensed anesthesiologist after passing your licensing exam and completing a residency. Then, consider becoming certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology. Certification is not required, but nearly 75% of anesthesiologists are certified, according to The American Society of Anesthesiologists.

The following section outlines how much CRNAs and anesthesiologists make and their job prospects.

Source: BLS

The average annual salary for CRNAs is $214,200. Earnings vary based on experience, location, facility, and the ability to negotiate with prospective employers.

The BLS projects CRNA jobs to grow 9% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average 3% for all occupations. About 4,500 CRNA job openings are projected to become available over the next decade. The job opportunities may vary based on location and facility requirements.

The average annual salary for anesthesiologists is $339,470.

The BLS also projects anesthesiologist jobs to grow 3% from 2022 to 2032 — less than CRNAs. This figure aligns with the average job growth in the U.S. About 1,000 anesthesiologist job openings are projected to become available over the decade.

Whether you should become a CRNA or an anesthesiologist depends on your preferences about practice authority, salary, education requirements, career outlook, and case type.

If you care more about earning a higher salary, working complex or specialized cases, and maintaining your independence anywhere you choose to practice, consider becoming an anesthesiologist. If you want to join a rapidly growing field sooner and with less debt, consider a career as a CRNA.

Page last reviewed on July 10, 2024